2024 International ACAC Conference Sessions

For international students, financing higher education in the United States can be a daunting and confusing process. One way colleges and universities approach financial aid is through offering need-based financial aid awards. Each institution approaches these awards in different ways, depending on a multitude of factors. Swarthmore College is need-aware in the admissions process for international students, but does not request financial information until after admission. Denison University is also need-aware, but collects financial information during the application process. Bowdoin College recently went need-blind for international students. This session is intended for admissions professionals to learn about the pros and cons of different approaches to need-based financial aid and admissions.

Intermediate
Experienced

Post-Secondary (College & University)

All

Strategy

As we continually seek out new destinations and opportunities for our students, we've gathered a panel of folks who are well-versed about some lesser known post-secondary opportunities and their admissions processes. Not just one institution in said country, but a comprehensive snapshot of what's available and delivered in English. Five countries, 15 minutes each, grab your passport, let's go!

Beginner
Intermediate

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO)

All

Regional Updates

Discover the magic of "Intrusive Advising," where we step in without an invitation. Picture breaking barriers and guiding students to discover the unknown, fostering a sense of belonging and engagement. In this session, we're not just talking; we're diving into interactive activities to bring these concepts to life. It's an experience designed for those working with high-achieving, low-income students, trailblazing first-generation scholars, or any student who needs that extra spark of motivation. This session is for anyone who wants to support any student better. But here's the twist – is there a fine line to intrusive advising?

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO)

All

Student Equity (i.e. access, affordability, resources)

Join us for a discussion on how institutions evaluate the grades and coursework for curricula from around the world. While the presenters will not provide specific formulas, equivalencies, or concordance tables, they will be able to provide an insight into their process to help counselors advise their students.

Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual

All

Case Studies

Amid a post-pandemic world, increased government involvement in our work, mental health crises, rising costs, enrollment challenges, and increased selectivity, how do we continue to center our work in ethical practice when we can feel so much pressure all around us? What strategies and training can you implement to establish or reinforce ethical practice within your office? Join members of the International ACAC Admissions Practices committee in a discussion unpacking everyday ethical dilemmas we face globally, including the complexities and implications of Early Decision Agreements, the responsible use of artificial intelligence, and many more topics. Attendees will learn about actionable approaches and the available resources to establish NACAC and International ACAC recommended practices within their respective institutions and organizations, better equipping them to navigate the evolving ethical landscape in our field and to empower the students and families we support.

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Post-Secondary (College & University)
Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO)

All

Case Studies

Are you intrigued by the potential benefits and challenges of restructuring your counseling office to better serve students? Are you curious to hear from colleagues who have worked at schools that have recently changed their counseling models (i.e. comprehensive, split, specialized, complementary)? Wondering about the motives behind such shifts and the practical implications for one’s practice? Our panelists will share strategies on how to prepare yourself, your counseling team, and your community for the journeys ahead. This session will invite you to engage in insightful discussions, share experiences, and gather practical advice from our panelists. If you're ready to explore the why, how, and what's next for making adjustments to your school’s counseling model, this presentation is a must-attend.

Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual

All

Strategy

This session examines the role of language proficiency in international admissions, focusing on the complexities of language learning and the interpretation of standardized test scores. Representatives from Cambridge English, Duolingo, IELTS, and TOEFL will provide insights and strategies for effectively using this knowledge to enhance recruitment, admission, and support for international students.

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Post-Secondary (College & University)
Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO)

All

Data

The mismatch between the perspectives of Gen A international students and the expectations of 4IR university representatives has never been more jarring. How can universities close this gap to connect more effectively with promising global prospects?

Key influencers in our international counseling & admissions communities will provide data-driven insights into the changing priorities & values of their students & families. Viewpoints from a variety of institution types and locations will be represented.

The panel will offer action-oriented guidance to university counterparts on ways to leverage innovative approaches & new technologies to meet our global upagers/screenagers where they are, and to make better matches.

Intermediate
Experienced

Post-Secondary (College & University)

All

Innovation

Five years ago when the International ACAC Conference was last at Western, our group presented about Canadian universities from our perspectives, working on both sides of the desk at Canadian schools and universities. Oh my, what has changed in five years for international students seeking to study in Canada! Tuition increases! Study Permit restrictions! Housing crises! We're back to cover it all... and more. This session aims to navigate all the news about the recent trends in higher education in Canada. We will guide our colleagues through understanding what studying in our great country is like and what they need to know to feel greater confidence in advising their students interested in studying in Canada.

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO)

Canada & U.S.

Regional Updates

This session will discuss the differences and commonalities between refugees, dreamers and LGBTQ+/Queer international students. We will share stories from the field of how these students encounter, interact with and ultimately transcend borders & barriers.

Our primary goal and focus will be on identifying the strengths and gifts that these students have and what they have to teach all of us. As professionals committed to global engagement we have much to learn from these students, while at the same time we build our capacity to better serve them.

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Post-Secondary (College & University)
Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO)

All

Student Equity (i.e. access, affordability, resources)

Bringing together insights from across the UK university sector, Cambridge, Keele and Aberdeen universities will be joined by UCAS to talk you through how UK admissions really works. There will be plenty of interaction during the session as we challenge preconceptions and let you into how we all work to support our applicants. We’ll also be sharing the sector wide picture from UCAS, drawing on their data and insight to represent the realities of UK admissions.

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual

All

Regional Updates

Have you committed to including refugees in your international recruitment goals, or do you want to do so? Are you receiving applications from refugee students living outside the US? Do you simply want to ensure that you and your office are up to date on the latest circumstances of refugee students abroad? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, this session is for you! We will provide contextual information about different refugee student populations living in multiple locations around the world. Audience members will leave with a deeper sense of context for global refugee student populations: their education backgrounds, common living and family environments (rural vs. urban vs. encamped), and employment opportunities. We will include comments and perspectives from an international refugee who recently enrolled in a U.S. university as an F-1 visa recipient. Together, our panelists will provide valuable insights to help universities both understand and recruit high-potential and best-fit refugee students for their institutions.

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Post-Secondary (College & University)
Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO)

All

Student Equity (i.e. access, affordability, resources)